Summary
The accuracy of computed tomography (CT) imaging for the diagnosis of acute pulmonary
embolism (PE) was reviewed. Single detector CT, based on pooled data, showed a sensitivity
of 73% and multidetector CT, mostly 4-slice, showed a sensitivity of 83%. Respective
specificities were 87% and 96%. Among patients with suspected PE evaluated with single
slice CT,20% of patients found to have venous thromboembolic disease were diagnosed
on the basis of a positive CT venous phase venogram. With multislice CT, 14% were
diagnosed on the basis of a positive CT venogram.The positive likelihood ratio with
single detector CT was 5.7 and with multidetector CT it was 19.6. Respective negative
likelihood ratios were 0.31 and 0.18. Calculations of post-test probability using
pretest probability and likelihood ratios according to Bayes’ theorem showed that
even with multidetector CT, false positive and false negative images are not uncommon
when clinical assessment is discordant with the CT interpretation. Outcome studies
showed recurrent PE in only 1.7% or fewer untreated patients with negative CT pulmonary
angiograms.
Keywords
Pulmonary embolism - deep venous thrombosis - venous thromboembolism - computed tomography